Gender Recognition

How To Apply For a Gender Recognition Certificate

All you need to know about the Gender Recognition process!

The Gender Recognition Act allows all individuals over the age of 18 to self-declare their own gender identity. Young people aged 16-17 can also be legally recognised, though the process is more onerous.

Forms needed to apply to the Circuit Family Court for a GRC on behalf of those 16 to 17 years of age may be found here (applicant) and here (consent).

If you are aged between 16 and 18, a Court Order from the Circuit Family Court exempting you from the requirement to be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate.

If you have changed your name by Deed Poll and wish to have that name shown on your Gender Recognition Certificate, the Deed Poll, which must have been enrolled in the High Court.

If you wish to have a name other than the one on your birth certificate shown on on your Gender Recognition Certificate, but you have not changed your name by Deed Poll, evidence of "use and repute" over two years (i.e. documentary evidence from two different sources such as your passport, driver's licence, college identification card, pay slip, utility bills, bank statements or official correspondence from a public or private sector organisation which show at least two year's usage of that name).